Window cleaning equipment

ABSTRACT

A window cleaning implement ( 10 ) comprises a tubular body divided into two rear ( 12 ) and front ( 14 ) sectors inserted telescopically one inside the other and connected by a threaded ring nut ( 16 ); the front sector supports a cleaning head ( 24 ) fitted with hooking devices for a cloth in microfibre or other suitable material. Said implement comprises, in addition, a removable reservoir ( 20 ) for the washing liquid which is drawn from it by means of a manual pump incorporated in said implement, channelled along a flexible hose ( 32 ) and dispensed through at least one nozzle ( 30 ) placed next to said cleaning head ( 24 ).

The present invention relates to a window cleaning implement.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a manually operatedimplement, suitable for cleaning windows, especially indoors but alsosurfaces of other kinds such as tiled surfaces.

It is known that for the periodic cleaning of windows, especially inoffices and places open to the public such as railway stations andairports, gyms and restaurants, cleaning staff use specific implementswhich enable them to reach considerable heights from the ground withoutthe use of ladders. Such implements, in their simplest form, typicallycomprise a pole which at the upper end bears a head supporting a stripof spongy material or microfibre extending horizontally used todistribute water and specific cleaning products on the surface to becleaned. Said implement comprises, to the side of said strip, a squeegeein plastic material used to collect the liquid distributed on thesurface, bringing it down to a height where it can be removed with acloth.

Other implements of this type are fitted with a telescopic pole forheight adjustment and a swivel head, to which a tube supplying theliquid contained in a drum, is connected. The latter constitutes anelement of obstruction, hindering and conditioning the operator, whichmust be systematically moved together with the implement, to the windowsand surfaces to be cleaned in different places and environments. If thedrum comes with a pump for distributing the liquid on the implement oron the windows, the drawbacks increase in that as well as the additionalweight of the pump, an electricity supply is required; generallyspeaking the electricity is provided by batteries incorporated in a beltworn by the operator. This solution however further conditions thefreedom of movement of the operator. Similar drawbacks arise in the caseof a reservoir with pump arranged in the form of a backpack worn on theshoulders. Machines are also known of for the external washing of largewindows or surfaces consisting of solar panels. In this case however themachines are complex and expensive, comprising a transportable structurewith a liquid reservoir and relative, electrically powered pump and arenot suitable for cleaning windows internally or surfaces distributedover various rooms.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,198 a window cleaning implement is describedcomprising an extendable tubular body, along which a tube extends fittedwith a nozzle at the front end next to a squeegee; a reservoir bearingan actuating lever to dispense the fluid is attached to the rear end ofthe tubular body.

A similar appliance is described in US 2004/146332 wherein the dispenserpump of the fluid is electrically operated by a battery placed in thegrip. U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,909 relates rather to a manual sprayer ofliquid detergent, wherein the actuating lever is used in conjunctionwith a piston interacting with a helical spring which sucks the liquidfrom the reservoir.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,664 describes a manual sprayer enabling withdrawalof the entire liquid content of the reservoir, regardless of thepositioning thereof, thanks to a partly flexible hose with the free endpaired to a weight.

All these known solutions however do not envisage the possibility ofdispensing the washing liquid immediately and in a calibrated quantity,to avoid wastage.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbackscomplained of above.

More specifically, the purpose of the present invention is to provide awindow cleaning implement comprising a detachable part destined tocontain the washing liquid and incorporating a manually activated pumpto transfer said liquid quickly and in a calibrated manner to thesurface to be cleaned.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide an implement suitablefor guaranteeing portability and easy movement thereof by the operator,entirely independent of external drums or electric pumps.

Not least, another purpose of the invention is to make a compactimplement of limited weight, able to permit extended functioningautonomy in relation to the capacity of the reservoir and the calibratedwithdrawal of the washing liquid from the same.

A further purpose of the invention is to make available to users awindow cleaning implement suitable for ensuring a high level ofresistance and reliability over time, in addition such as to be easy andeconomical to produce.

These and other purposes are achieved by the window cleaning implementof the present invention according to the main claim.

The construction and functional characteristics of the window cleaningimplement of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensiblefrom the detailed description below in which reference is made to theappended drawings which show a preferred and non-limiting embodiment andwherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a longitudinal cross-section of the windowcleaning implement of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a view from above of the same implement;

FIG. 3 schematically shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of thesame implement in its rear part;

FIG. 4 schematically represents the same implement according to FIG. 3,to highlight the flow line of the liquid coming from the reservoir;

FIG. 5 schematically shows the longitudinal cross-section of the frontpart of the same implement, to highlight the flow line of the liquidcoming out of a nozzle dispenser;

FIG. 6 schematically represents part of the implement to highlight theliquid dispensing step;

FIG. 7 schematically represents part of the implement to highlight thefilling step, before the dispensing of liquid;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 schematically shows the same number of longitudinalcross-sections of the reservoir of the implement, to show the take up ofthe liquid in any working position.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the window cleaning implementaccording to the present invention, globally denoted by referencenumeral 10, comprises a tubular body divided into two rear 12 and front14 sectors inserted telescopically one inside the other and connected bya threaded ring nut 16. A container 20 of a tendentially ovoidal shape,constituting the reservoir which the washing liquid is placed in,generally water with specific detergents for the surface to be cleaned,is positioned at the rear end of the implement 10. The front end of thetubular sector 14 defines a fork attachment 22 for a rectangular shapedsupport 24 which constitutes the cleaning head and is fitted with knownhooking devices (not shown) for a cleaning cloth in microfibre or othersuitable material.

A connection element 26 of the known type is integrated between the forkattachment 22 and the support 24 which permits said support to be swiveljointed vertically and horizontally.

The fork attachment 22 projects from a shaped sleeve 28 which is fittedto the end of the front tubular sector; the latter incorporates thedispenser means of the washing liquid, consisting of at least one nozzle30 which comes out of the shaped sleeve 28 in a position above the forkattachment 22. The nozzle 30 is supplied by a flexible tubular hose 32which extends through the two tubular sectors 12, 14.

Said nozzle connects, in the rear part of the tubular sector 12, to aconnector 34 coming out of a manually actuated pump which draws thewashing liquid from the reservoir 20 and channels it into the tubularhose 32 by means of which it reaches the dispenser nozzle 30, accordingto the flow diagram “F” as in FIGS. 4 and 5. The manually actuated pump,advantageously of the self-priming kind, comprises a lever 36 pivoted ona support 38 placed in the tubular sector 12; said lever acts on apiston 40 which abuts with the underside of said lever, formed forexample of a flattened element in plastic or metal. The piston 40 isplaced under tension by a helical spring 42 abutting partially with asocket plug 65 and partially with an indentation 66 formed at the bottomof said piston and communicating with said plug. Two single directionshut-off valves 44 and 46 enable channelling of the flow of washingliquid from the reservoir 20 to the tubular hose 32, as specified belowwith reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The valve 46, kept in position by the connector 34, and the valve 44kept in position by the body indicated by reference numeral 50 (in FIG.3) forming the seat of the reservoir plug 22, are positioned in the pumpbody 48 which has the function of containing all the components formingpart of the implement, as schematised in said FIG. 3.

The pump body 48 is engaged on said body 50 and screwed thereto.

The body 50 extends rearwards, that is in the direction of the reservoir20, in an integral pin 52, interacting with a ball 54 paired with ahelical spring 56 (FIG. 3).

Said ball 54 has the function of closing the hole 58 of the plug 60 ofthe reservoir 20 at the moment in which the latter is removed forfilling. The reservoir 20 is connected by threading to the plug 60 (FIG.3), while the body 50 constitutes the element suitable for connectingthe plug 60 and the reservoir 20 to the pump body 48 by threading.

Sealing gaskets 68 are positioned at the piston 40 and between the body50 and the plug 60 of the reservoir 20. During use, the user presses thelever 36 which in turn presses the piston 40. The latter, overcoming theresistance of the spring 42, presses the liquid inside the chambercreated between the indentation 66 which forms part of the seat 42 ofthe piston 40 and the closure plug 65 which forms the other part of saidseat and is paired with the piston, as in FIG. 7. The liquid finds thevalve 44 closed by effect of the relative spring and, given the pressureacting in the direction of closure of said valve, is obliged to directitself towards the valve 46; the liquid overcomes the resistance of thespring of said valve 46 and therefore opens the circuit, thereby leavingsaid chamber 66 and channelling itself into the tubular hose 32. Thisfirst operating step is schematised in particular in FIG. 6. During therelease step of the lever 36, the piston 40 pushed by the spring 42creates negative pressure inside said chamber; the valve 46 is closed byeffect of the respective spring. The air, by effect of the negativepressure which acts in the direction of closure of such valve, is forcedto direct itself towards the valve 44, overcoming the resistance posedby the relative spring and opening the circuit towards the reservoir 20.Part of the liquid present in the reservoir spoken of may thereforereach the chamber 66 thereby filling the system for a subsequent pumpingstep. This second operating step is schematised in particular in FIG. 7.

The liquid dispensed by the nozzle 30 is distributed precisely on theglass or surface to be cleaned; the quantity of liquid to dispense iseasily calibrated, without wastage or excess, thanks to the manualmovement of the pump by means of single or repeated pressing of thelever 36.

The correct functioning of the implement 10 as regards dispensing theliquid in any working position is ensured by a lift pipe 67 and by avent valve 68. The lift pipe 67 is positioned at the free end of aflexible tube 70, connected to the plug 60 by means of a nipple 69liquid dispenser; the vent valve 68 is positioned on the plug itself, asmay be observed in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. The mobility of the flexible tube70 and of the relative lift pipe 67 inside the reservoir 20 occursautomatically depending on the operating position assumed by theimplement 10; the reservoir 20 may therefore find itself in a verticalposition with the plug 60 facing upwards (FIG. 8), in a horizontalposition (FIG. 9) or in an overturned position, that is with the plug 60facing downwards (FIG. 10). In all these positions, as in all theintermediate positions of the reservoir 20, the flexible hose 70suitably directs itself and the lift pipe 67 always finds the quantityof liquid, even residual, present in said reservoir. The lift pipe 67 isappropriately weighted to move the flexible tube 70.

The valve 68 has the function of stabilising the pressure inside thereservoir 20 compared to external pressure, so as to guarantee theself-priming of the pump and so as to avoid the possible implosion ofsaid reservoir.

As may be seen from the above, the advantages which the inventionachieves are evident. The window cleaning implement of the presentinvention makes it possible to operate easily and efficaciously,dispensing the washing liquid immediately and in calibrated quantitiesonto the surface to be cleaned. Such implement, in addition, ensuresexcellent portability, enabling the operator to perform cleaningoperations without having to transport independent drums, and in anyworking position.

Despite the invention having been described above with particularreference to one of its embodiments, given solely by way of anon-limiting example, numerous modifications and variants will appearevident to a person skilled in the art in the light of the abovedescription. The present invention therefore sets out to embrace all themodifications and variants which fall within the sphere and scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A window cleaning implement (10) comprises a tubular body dividedinto two rear (12) and front (14) sectors inserted telescopically oneinside the other and connected by a threaded ring nut (16), wherein thefront sector supports a cleaning head (24) fitted with hooking devicesfor a cloth in microfibre or other suitable material, a removable (20)reservoir placed at the rear end for the washing liquid which is drawnfrom it by means of a manual pump incorporated in the implement itself,channelled along a flexible hose (32) connected to a connector (34) anddispensed through at least one nozzle (30) placed near said cleaninghead (24), characterised in that said manually actuated pump is of theself-priming kind and comprises a lever (36) pivoted on a support (38)and acting on a piston (40) acting in conjunction with twosingle-direction valves (44-46) respectively kept in position by theconnector (34) and by a body (50) forming the seat of the plug of theremovable reservoir (20).
 2. The implement according to claim 1,characterised in that said valves are integrated in a pump-body (48)engaged on said body (50) and screwed to it.
 3. The implement accordingto claim 2, characterised in that said body (50) extends in thedirection of the reservoir (20) to form an integral pin (52),interacting with a ball (54) paired with a helical spring (56) to closethe hole (58) of plug (60) of the reservoir (20).
 4. The implementaccording to claim 1, characterised in that the piston (40) which thelever (36) acts on is placed under tension by a helical spring (42)placed partially in a socket plug (65).
 5. The implement according toclaim 4, characterised in that the lever (36) presses, by means of thepiston (40), the liquid inside a chamber (66) created between theindentation of said piston which forms the seat of the spring (42) andthe closure plug (65).
 6. The implement according to claim 1,characterised in that the front end of the sector (14) of said tubularbody forms a fork attachment (22) for a support (24) constituting thecleaning head (24).
 7. The implement according to claim 6, characterisedin that a connection element (26) is positioned between the forkattachment (22) and the support (24) which forms a vertical andhorizontal swivel joint of such support.
 8. The implement according toclaim 1, characterised in that said at least one nozzle (30) projectsfrom a shaped sleeve (28) above the fork attachment (22) and, in therear part, connects to the connector (34) coming out of said manuallyactuated pump which draws the washing liquid from the reservoir (20) andchannels it into the flexible hose (32).
 9. The implement according toclaim 8, characterised in that the reservoir (20) comprises a vent valve(68) as well as a flexible tube (70) paired with a lift pipe (67) andconnected to the plug (60) by means of a nipple (69) liquid dispenser.